Pre-season testing did not go to plan for Sebastian Vettel, with a series of mechanical issues on his Aston Martin AMR21 significantly limiting his running.
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Specifically, the four-time World Champion completed only 117 laps – the least of any driver – across the three days of testing in Bahrain.
Vettel will make his debut with the Aston Martin F1 Team later this month in the 2021 season-opener at the same circuit.
And while many ex-F1 drivers and pundits have tipped Vettel to succeed at Aston Martin after a difficult final season with Ferrari, 1996 F1 World Champion Damon Hill has said he feels that he sometimes doesn’t look confident or motivated.
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“I think Vettel was destabilised at Ferrari. I think there were political aspects that undermined his confidence and that ended up affecting his driving,” Hill said.
“He missed opportunities, it’s true, but there were also great performances.
“I think Sebastian can still say a lot and if he sees a chance to be competitive for the win or the podium, he will give his best.”
Continuing, Hill said: “I hope he has had a chance to regain his self-confidence.
“Sometimes I look at him and I think he doesn’t look motivated and confident, and that’s a bit worrying.”
In January, Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll said he has “100 percent” confidence in Vettel’s talent and dedication.
“Sebastian had a very challenging year last year. All of us would find it challenging that you lose your job before the season starts,” Stroll said.
“That’s mentally very difficult, and you know how mental a game F1 is for drivers.
“He had a car he found tricky to drive that didn’t suit his driving style. We’ve seen that before in his last year at Red Bull [in 2014].
“But he’s a four-time World Champion. I don’t think he forgot how to drive in one year.
“He has a work ethic that is known as second to none in the paddock in terms of how hard he works.
“One of the ways we are going to become World Champions is to get my guys to think and act like World Champions. And how you do that is to bring a four-time World Champion into the team.
“He will take the team in a direction of leading us to where ultimately we want to be.
“I’m not concerned. I know Sebastian well and I have 100 percent confidence and belief he will do a fantastic job with us.
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“He is more motivated than he has ever been,” the Canadian billionaire concluded.
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